The Thrift Virgin

I’m asking because I never had until today – I went to Buffalo Exchange, a popular resale shop chain, and it. Was. Awesome!! I was so excited with my finds that I simply couldn’t just wait to debut each piece in an outfit post – so I’m showing it to you in a haul post!

So the above picture is literally the first picture I took when I parked my car.

Then:

Racks upon racks of clothes, organized by type & (loosely) by size. The far wall is where the women’s shoes are. There’s even a sizable men’s section!

After making no less than three separate trips to the fitting room, I headed to the Buy register with my prizes.

I have to say I’m stoked and will be going back next time I need inspiration in my closet. I spied (and some I even tried on) J Brand jeans, Emporio Armani, Ann Taylor, Forever 21, Abercrombie & Fitch, BCBG, Prada…the designer labels I saw were endless and amazing. Next to an unknown shirt there might be an Armani tee, and next to the 7 for all mankind jeans there might be a True Religion, with a Habitual next to that. It was amazing! The jeans racks alone I could spend hours perusing.

So…what do you think, and have you ever been to a resale shop/thrift shop?

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Comments

I love thrifting! I go all the time; in fact just today I went to the local Salvation Army a town over; I've never been lucky enough to find such great brands as you did (but I don't live in an area where people wear such brands. I'm a country bumpkin, what can I say?). And I absolutely LOVE that dress!

I too recently went to a thrift shop recently (just 2 months back) and found a J.Crew belt ($2) Coach Belt ($10) and a BR waist coat ($10) .. I haven't gone back to buy anything ever since buy I do go and sell some of my clothes there and make an odd $20-30 bucks which is pretty decent for used-unwanted clothes.

I loved the Buffalo Exchange that was in the town I lived in at the time. Though I am wondering if the prices vary depending on the stores/locations. I feel like the prices were less, for similar items, at the one I went to. Though it looks like you found some great pieces!

I LOVE Buffalo Exchange! I'm so happy that you went there and had a fabulous experience. I know what you mean about the amazing denim selection. I'll be heading there again the first chance I get. You made some amazing purchases!

I loveee shopping thrift and resale. A new shop just opened here and on my first excursion I found a pair of AG jeggings for $22, a C&C California tee for $8 and an American Apparel skirt for $8, plus some of the cutest vintage jewelry I've scored in a long time.

I love resale shops!! I don't know if there's a Buffalo Exchange in near me in NC, but we have Plato's Closet. I've not seen a lot of designer brands, but a few like Abercrombie, 7 for all mankind, and a few others. I may just have to find a B.E. seeming how much luck you had! I love your picks!

I love thrift and resale stores! Once you find a good deal, you are totally hooked. I try to go at least once every few weeks, and it's rare that I wear an outfit where everything is new. I can't wait to see your new finds all styled up on your blog!

A big chunk of my wardrobe comes from the Buffalo Exchange in New Orleans. It's great how many deals you can find there. I write about secondhand shopping fairly regularly on my blog. You can check out the posts here if you'd like:

I hope it's not just beginner's luck – because I'd love to have finds like this every time! And what's great is, I didn't have to paw through a whole lot. I tried on a lot, but really the only reason I had to actively put stuff back was because I didn't want to spend too too much $$, and I had to edit my selection to items I reeeeally wanted.

OMG… thrift stores are where it is at! I frequent them all the time and, in fact, the majority of my clothes are from thrift stores. No one can ever believe that when I tell them! I urge anyone who have never been to one to check it out!

I didn't have to paw through a whole lot. I tried on a lot, but really the only reason I had to actively put stuff back was because I didn't want to spend too too much $$, and I had to edit my selection to items I reeeeally wanted.

O wow that's a huge Buffalo Exchange!! They had one in Austin but it was pretty small … I went there to exchange clothes but I don't think I saw large brand names there … but the one you went to looks like the supplies could be endless!! & for all Mandkind for $32, what a bargain!!! And both dresses are LOVELY~~ gosh I love bargain shopping :-D

Not only have I been thrifting, but I almost exclusively shop in thrift/consignment/second hand stores! I know some ladies like to shop there to find vintage finds, but I actually love how many great brand name items you can find for so much less money. I never mind buying gently used clothes either because than you know that they won't shrink in teh wash on you, and they've likely already stretched out as much as they will. More than the money, or the true-to-life sizing however, what I love about thrifting is the challenge. There is something way more exciting about browsing and sorting through racks in a store full of hidden treasures than just pulling a shirt off of a manequin!

I'm glad you gave thrifting a go and hopefully you keep going back for more!

I loved your treasures that you found! The stripey sweater was awesome, and the jeans were a great deal!

I seldom go to thrift stores, but I lucked out majorly when I visited Salvation Army. I found a brand-new, never worn Alfred Angelo wedding dress, retail $1099. Donated by a local bridal store going out of business.

Beautiful off-white dress covered in tiny crystals and a beautiful bow at the front, and smaller bows down the short train in the back.

I got it for only $100, a total steal. Soo giddy about my wonderful find!

I love thrifting; to me, it's more than just getting a good deal. I don't mean offense by this, but all the clothes you bought were new-with-tags and branded, and costly, in my opinion, for a thrift store, even if they're great deals for what the clothes would have been new from a retailer. Something in me has an eye out for the unusual or vintage, hidden in there at the back of the rack.

What great finds — how wonderful you were able to find those pairs of jeans. We have a Plato's Closet here, which I think is similar to Buffalo Exchange, and they have some great deals as well. My favorite places are the Salv and Goodwill, because you can sometimes find great vintage pieces! :)

I would not count Buffalo as thrifting, but it's a start! Some of the stuff there is actually more expensive than original retail! But you can get lucky. Next step is digging through the racks and bins at Value Village, Goodwill, etc. Any secondhand shopping is good in my opinion though!

You'll be even more stoked once you start thrifting at a Goodwill, Family Thrift, Value Village or Salvation Army, etc. You will have to do a little weeding out but you'll pay 1/4th to 1/6th the price for the same deals you got at the re-sale/next-to-new shops. Oh. And I've seen the folks from the re-sale shops looking in the Sally Ann's and Goodwills forthe the stuff in their stores. Anyway, it's all good; each has it's place in the re-sale/thrifting domain. Let us know what you think (and get!) when you visit the former!

Meet Kristina

Kristina Braly is the author of Pretty Shiny Sparkly™, and is the creator of the Bloggers Do It Better™ series. She also penned, "The Secrets to Successful Fashion Blogging" series. She is slightly obsessed with makeup, is a perfectionist, and a resident physician Anesthesiologist. more →Read More…